RT Journal
T1 MEdical news
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1969
FD March 24
VO 207
IS 12
SP 2197
OP 2210
DO 10.1001/jama.1969.03150250027003
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1969.03150250027003
AB Liver Failure After Repeated Use Rekindles Halothane Safety Debate
A survey of patients with fulminant hepatic failure indicates that a number of them had undergone multiple exposures to halothane anesthesia prior to the onset of symptoms.A report detailing the clinical course in 13 of these patients and suggesting a possible association with multiple halothane exposure was made to the recent meeting of the International Anesthesia Research Society.The report by Charles Trey, MB, ChB, research associate, Thorndike Memorial Laboratory, Boston City Hospital, prompted a vigorous round in the continuing debate over the hepatotoxic potential of halothane.On the one hand, Dr. Trey feels evidence is sufficient to consider unexplained fever following minor surgery using halothane as a relative contraindication to the reuse of halothane. Postoperative hepatocellular jaundice should be regarded as an absolute contraindication to further exposure to halothane.Dr. Trey recommended these precautions as the only feasible